i think that the forest bb is an excellent thing, but people do not use it, and my guess is because it is too tricky to navigate and there are too many features.

here is my suggestion to improve user-friendliness...

let's get rid of _all_ forums and instead just have one big one. this way the forest bb is more like the email lists, where we know that debates rage like forest fire! basically, the bb divided up into many forums as it is now is too difficult to navigate and would only serve a purpose if we were crowded with discussions. easy of access is all important. one click from the forest front page should bring you straight into the discussions. i think it is fine to have them all laid out in one long list that you can quickly scan and follow any interesting threads.

I think 'the Forest speaks', was getting far too crowded with mails. Folk would find their mailboxes crammed with zillions of mails that didn't relate to them. I think this is far better.
I only just discovered this. I think it's much better

You're all mising Jon's point, and he's dead right. The forum is a great thing but it doesn't need a separate forum page for every possible topic. Just makes it more effort to find stuff. They would all naturally divide themselves into threads anyway. Needs flattened, too much hierarchy.

ok, here's an idea... the layout is convenient for all the pseudo-hippies that just want to hitch a ride or find free stuff... which is fine...

couldn't we just have one forum or link which provides all posts arranged by date?
Alternatively, we could use the same functions available on the university forums where any individual user can navigate from a personalised index page to any unread messages... heck, maybe these utilities are already available and I'm just a twat...

anyway, I'm a poor little fool who still feels comfortable with a book... I have no idea of the hours of needless hassle implementing any of these ideas would entail...

The building opposite me has about 16 chimney shoots lined up in quick succession.. why?

I liken different topics to being in a space with different conversations and we're free to move around and join where we like. A single forum is like a meeting where we all listen to everyone, but many thoughts remain unsaid.